Comparable revenue per available room - a key metric in the hotel sector - rose 0.6pc in the first six months of the year, although the figure slipped to be just 0.1pc higher in the three months to June. The market shrank by 2.6pc and 1.8pc respectively.

Boss Peter Gowers said: “More and more people looking to make their travel money go further in these uncertain times.”

Total half-year sales rose 6pc to £337m and earnings edged up by £1m to £45m, although pre-tax profit was not disclosed.